If you are thinking about doing a quick weekend getaway to the beautiful city of San Diego you will not be sorry about your decision. Some travel locations might offer limited activities and a lot of down time to relax. And while you can definitely relax in the beautiful weather and gorgeous beaches of San Diego you will be hard pressed to ignore the abundance of activities, restaurants and cultural sights around the city.
Obviously, an article about visiting San Diego cannot start without mentioning two of the most famous attractions in the city, the USS Midway Museum and the San Diego Zoo. The Midway is a real aircraft carrier which has more than twenty military aircrafts displayed on the top “Flight” deck as well as numerous exhibits, simulators and movies about the life aboard the vessel as well as naval and air combat in general. The San Diego Zoo on the other hand is constantly rated as one of the top zoos in the world. It is credited with pioneering inventive exhibits that allow animals to roam in areas that resemble their natural habitats and give the visitors a more accurate account of what the animals are really like. And while both of these attractions will take up a lot your time they are more than worthwhile. Fortunately, they are located in close proximity to more great attractions and wonderful dining opportunities.
The USS Midway Museum is located on the Embarcadero, a pedestrian path that stretches along the water for most of Downtown San Diego. It goes from the San Diego Airport all the way to the San Diego Convention Center. In addition to the USS Midway and offering stunning views of the San Diego Bay you can also find the Maritime Museum of San Diego and Seaport Village along the Embarcadero path. Seaport Village is an open-air mall with numerous restaurants, galleries and shops right on the water. It is a great place to grab some food or drinks before or after visiting the Midway or taking a break while walking – biking the Embarcadero. The one restaurant that stands out is the San Diego Pier Café which is actually located above the water and has a great seaside vibe and seafood focused menu.
The San Diego Zoo is also a walk away from other great adventures and delicious food options. The zoo is actually located inside Balboa Park, a huge green space that houses a number of museums, theaters, galleries and restaurants. It is a perfect place to take walk through historic architecture and beautifully maintained gardens. The Spanish Village is full of local art and the Japanese Friendship Garden is just one of the many unique gardens in the park bringing a piece of the world to San Diego. Some of the museums which are a walking distance from the zoo include the San Diego Air and Space Museum, Museum of Us, San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Natural History Museum among others. In addition, if you are looking to catch a show in a truly memorable location, The Olde Globe theater is modeled after the original Shakespeare Old Globe theater in London. All of these museums are a must see if you happen to have a rare bad weather day or it is not your first time in San Diego.
As night rolls over the city you want to make your way to the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy neighborhoods. The Gaslamp quarter is in the heart of Downtown San Diego and is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to the Convention Center, Petco Park and a number of the large hotels in town. The neighborhood is full of restaurants, bars and cafes and a great place to have dinner and cocktails. A one stop shop for great food, delicious cocktails and nightly live music is Café Sevilla. The authentic tapas and cocktails are a big draw, but what really brings the crowds is the music. This restaurant does not just have your average live performances, instead it offers unique events that include flamenco and rumba. And if you want something sweet yet still full of alcohol after a night of dancing or a day of exploring make your way to Metl Bar for numerous options of boozy ice cream such as Mezcal PB Cup, Pecan Old Fashioned and Pisco Punch.
Similarly, Little Italy is a small neighborhood packed with lots of fun and dinning for any visitor. Located on a hill near the San Diego Airport you will be able to take some unique photographs of the planes landing as they appear to glide over the rooftops of the city during their final descent. And while the unique pictures of planes right over you might be reason enough to stop by Little Italy the food and beverages will keep you there. San Diego’s most famous brewery Ballast Point has its brew pub and restaurant located on India Street in Little Italy. If you are familiar with the brewery scene, to be the most famous brewery in a city jam packed with world class breweries is saying something. It is obvious that Ballast Point didn’t just rest on their beer reputation as they clearly planed and succeeded in making the food and atmosphere equally exceptional. While the delicious dining options are abundant in this neighborhood the real culinary winner is a place where you start your day off in glory. Morning Glory is the ultimate breakfast and brunch destination in San Diego. Located on the corner of Piazza della Famiglia the cleverly decorated, open air, pink restaurant gives you everything you might desire for breakfast. From Breakfast Dim Sum and German Pancakes to French Omelets, Eggs Benedict, Thick cut bacon and boozy coffee drinks all made to perfection. Just make sure you built in some wait time in your schedule.
Finally, no trip to San Diego is complete without seeing the sunset over the Pacific and visiting the local beaches. Often overlooked, the Cabrillo National Monument a large park and protected area with spectacular views by day and night. The location has numerous hiking trails, tidepools and the historic Point Loma Lighthouse. It also has views that on a clear day can reach all the way to the southern border and provide for epic pictures of San Diego and the bay. To round out the top destinations in San Diego is the picture-perfect Coronado Beach. Often when one imagines a California beach they think of golden sands stretching for miles, which is exactly what you will experience when you visit this beach. If you have the time it is a great place to spend an entire day from sunbathing in the soft sand to watching the sunset with a cocktail from the historic Hotel del Coronado to roasting some marshmallows on the open fire. It is the ideal San Diego experience.
So, when you are in San Diego remember this is just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t waste any of your precious time… Rise and Find IT!!!
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